Venezuelan Opposition Leader Machado Prepares Showdown With Maduro

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado is preparing global protests to dispute Venezuelan Dictator Nicolas Maduro’s inauguration-set for January 10th. 

Machado has convened protests all over Venezuela and the world to demand Dictator Maduro relinquish power after being defeated during last July’s presidential elections. 

Maduro has reportedly released hundreds of political detainees during the Christmas season to reduce tensions. 

However, Machado has shown no signs of backing down. 

“The time to act is now,” said Machado. “I will see you on the streets of Venezuela and the whole world.”

Venezuela’s elections follow failed negotiations between Venezuela’s government and President Joe Biden’s administration over electoral assurances in exchange for sanctions relief.

Despite promises of allowing free and fair elections, the Venezuelan regime barred opposition leader Machado from participating in the same.

However, Machado invested her political capital into former Venezuelan Ambassador Edmundo Gonzalez, who subsequently won the presidential elections.

Despite Gonzalez’s victory, Maduro’s electoral commission declared Maduro as the winner without showing proof of the votes he received. 

Most recently, Gonzalez was forced to seek political asylum in Spain after the Maduro regime threatened to arrest him.

However, Gonzalez has vowed to return to Venezuela and be reinstated as the rightful president. 

Now, all eyes are turning to President-elect Donald Trump in anticipation of his policies towards Venezuela. 

Some reports suggest he may be facing pressure to continue Biden’s conciliatory approach to secure immigration enforcement in Venezuela. 

Meanwhile, however, President Trump’s cabinet picks, such as Secretary of State nominee Marco Rubio, have lobbied for a hardline approach to Venezuela with the ultimate goal of a democratic transition. 

Moreover, Trump allies, such as Representative Maria-Elvira Salazar (R-FL), have similarly opted for a tough approach to Venezuela, arguing for Trump to reinstate sanctions as he did during his first administration.